Are the Redskins Pretenders?

This is the time of year when the NFL's contenders start separating themselves from the pretenders. Just because you came out of the first half of the season with a nice record doesn't mean you can expect anything in the second half.

Note the Washington Redskins. With their all-burgundy look two weeks ago, this old fan barely recognized them. Even with their normal uniforms on this week ... I still can't.

Ever since beginning the season 4-1 and beating New Orleans, Arizona, Dallas and Philadelphia in consecutive weeks, the Skins have looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL. They were beaten at home by the then-winless Rams. They needed a missed field goal to beat the downtrodden Cleveland Browns. They barely took care of the still-winless Lions. Pittsburgh then came into Washington and punched them in the face. Now Dallas has come in to FedEx Field and done the same.

So is this Redskins team truly a playoff contender? Or were they just blowing smoke?